1953 Ford E493A Prefect
Owned by myself during 1963-64. Although 10 years old when I
bought it, this car was like new. There was no rust anywhere - I
cleaned off the dirt under the wings and the Ludlow Green paint was as
good as on the top.
The interior in Bakelite imitation wood and with PVC seating looked
very up-market. The only breakdowns we suffered were when a
couple
of teeth broke off the rear axle crownwheel and later a leaf in the
front
road spring broke. In both cases we limped home for repairs.
The performance for its size on 1172cc side valve engine was quite
good but if you got baulked on a very steep hill it would not pull away
from a standstill and you would have to reverse back to the bottom and
start again. All hills had to be attacked flat out with the
changes
into 2nd. and 1st. (no-synchcro) had to be dead right at peak revs to
make
good progress. I remember going up Porlock and just making it
with
steam coming from the thermo-syphon (no water pump) cooling
system.
This was quite a common occurrence and the roadside there was lined
with
water taps, buckets and AA and RAC patrols waiting to help overheated
motors.
Crowds would line Porlock hill waiting for the spectacular events that
followed missing a gear change towing a caravan up the 1 in 3 hill.
I sold it when I had to start traveling up and down the M1 every
week.
On ordinary roads there was no problem but at sustained high speed
(60+mph)
it would build up crankcase compression and throw out the oil through
the
back main into the clutch. The Motorways needed a new breed of
engines,
I don't think any mass built motor before 1959 could cope with
sustained
full throttle for hours at a time.
- 4 cyl. 1172cc. Side valve.
- 30 BHP, 65 MPH. Strong but heavy.
- Transverse Semi-elliptic springs front and rear - like
Model T.
- All plastic mock leather and wood interior.
- Vacuum wipers, no heater. Still 6 Volt electrics.
- Rod brakes but they worked well.
To The Ford Sidevalve Owners' Club